§ 29. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board whether the Bramley (Leeds) Board of Guardians have deducted 8s. a week from the pension of E. E. Dickinson, late of the West Yorkshire Regiment, who is at present an inmate of the Men-ston Asylum, as the result of wounds and gas attacks inflicted while serving in the Army; whether this deduction leaves Mrs. Dickinson 18s. a week to maintain herself and four children; and, having regard to 17 the hardship thus arising, steps will be taken to prevent any deduction from the man's pension?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)I understand that the object which the guardians had in view was to prevent cases of this kind becoming chargeable to the Poor Law. Such cases will in future be dealt with by the grant of an allowance under Article 6 of the proposed new Royal Warrant, and the wife would, during the period of her husband's detention in an asylum, receive an amount not less than the pension and allowance for children to which she would have been entitled had she been a widow.
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERI imagine that it will begin on April 1st, but I should like that question addressed to the Minister of Pensions.
§ 50. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether the new scale of pensions applies to soldiers and sailors disabled in previous wars; and, if not, whether the Government propose to include them?
§ The MINISTER OF PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; and as regards the second part, the question of the pensions to soldiers and sailors disabled in previous wars is, as was stated in reply to the hon. Member for Truro on the 12th instant, under consideration.
§ Mr. BARNESI do not know. Considerations of time are the only obstacle.